Strongyloides stercoralis infestation in HIV seropositive patients in Port Harcourt

Background: A contemporary surge in diarrhoeal illnesses due to parasitic infestations is believed to be a synergy between endemicity and HIV seropositivity.Aim: To determine the prevalence of Strongyloides stercoralis infestation among HIV seropositive patients at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital.Methodology: A stratified sampling method was adopted, with a working sample size of 524. Inclusion criteria were ART-naive HIV-positive patients presenting for the first time with or without diarrhoea and not on any anti-protozoal regimen. Stool samples were concentrated and examined for larvae by direct wet mount.Results: Of the 524 subjects, 314 (60%) presented with diarrhoea with 104 acute cases and 210 chronic cases. Two hundred and ten (40%) subjects presented without diarrhoea. Enteric parasites were detected in 132 (42%) subjects with diarrhoea and 27 (13%) patients without diarrhoea. Strongyloides stercoralis was only detected in 11 (5.2%) cases of chronic diarrhoea.Conclusion: The synergistic ill-effects of HIV and parasitic co-infection underscores the need for prompt identification and effective therapy. Keywords: Strongyloides stercoralis, Strongyloidiasis, Diarrhoea, HIV, Port Harcourt

Chronic renal failure secondary to polysubstance misuse

Chronic Renal Failure [CRF] is a progressive irreversible deterioration in renal function with a spectrum ranging from biochemical abnormalities [azotemia] to clinically evident abnormalities [uraemia] and end stage renal disease [ESRD]. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the significance of rare causes of CRF in the management of such patients. A case of a 26 year old male who had CRF with the only identifiable risk factor being abuse of recreational drugs alongside a review of relevant literature was studied. The patient presented with symptoms and signs in keeping with long standing impairment of renal function with causes traceable to his chronic abuse of cannabis and heroine. In the diagnosis, management, and follow-up of patients with chronic kidney disease, the importance of a detailed social history and life style modification cannot be overemphasized. We therefore recommend that appropriate diagnosis of CRF be made whenever it occurs and in the case of substance misuse, appropriate treatment given in that direction to relieve the disease

The Unquantified Risk of Post-Fire Metal Concentration in Soil: a Review

Forest fire is a natural disturbance that occurs in many terrestrial ecosystems specifically in the semi-arid environments and is considered to be an important cause of environmental change. Though many causes of fire are identified, including lightning, volcanic eruption, power line sparks, etc., human involvement is the most significant factor. Fire events are able to alter the physical, chemical and biogeochemical properties of the soil and surface materials and are able to release major and trace metals into the environment. This may be more significant in mining-affected and industrial landscapes, where elevated concentrations of metals present in the soil. After the fire event, metals become more mobile due to the increase in soil surface exposure and the mobility associated with ash dispersal. This mobility may increase the bioavailability of the metals, which may generate water quality issues and may contribute to human and environmental health concerns. Even though, the influences of fire on many soil properties are well established, the behaviour of metals with respect to fire is not well investigated. However, a few studies report that major and trace metals include Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn and As are mobilized after fire with increased concentrations in soil and water resources and this might pose a risk to human health and ecosystems. Climate change may increase the intensity, frequency and areal extend of fire events and hence increase the metal concentrations and their potential health impacts. This paper reviews post-fire (wild fire) mobility of metals in soil common in contaminated forest ecosystems. The human and ecological health risks of these metals are also considered. © 2017, Springer International Publishing Switzerland